Gravity valve



May 13, 1969 N. L. BENEDETTI GRAVITY VALVE Sheet Filed Sept. 16, 1966 t 5 7 INVENTOR.

A/aw L, flex/500W y 3, 1969 N. 1.. BENEDETTI 3,443,589

GRAVITY VALVE Filed Sept. 16, 1966 Sheet Z of 2 5/ 1 54 v 4 um INVENTOR. M524 0 L, 56/1/505 BY KWHZ M ATTORNEYS 3,443,589 GRAVITY VALVE Nello L. Benedetti, Mount Prospect, Ill., assignor to The Dole Valve Company, Morton Grove, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Sept. 16, 1966, Ser. No. 580,031 Int. Cl. F16k 21/04, 15/14 US. Cl. 137-604 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates generally to dispensing valve assemblies, and more particularly to dispensing valve assemblies which pass syrup, under the force of gravity, through a flow passage, and pass water, under pressure, to another flow passage, and thereafter the syrup and water are mixed in a mixing chamber which forms part of a dispensing nozzle. Specifically, the present invention is directed to an improved type of dispensing valve assemblies which incorporate a new, improved and novel type of valve construction to control the flow of fluid, such as syrup and water, through the valve assembly.

In the construction of the dispensing valve assemblies, it is of utmost importance to fabricate the valve components of corrosive-free material to insure proper operation of the dispensing valve when the valve is subjected to the normal corrosive properties of water, and to the normal corrosive properties of syrup which passes through the valve assembly.

Another important consideration in the construction of a dispensing valve is to provide a valve stem and valve seat construction which will not become clogged or which will not stick open due to low viscosity fluid, such as syrup, passing through the valve.

Therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide a new and improved dispensing valve assembly which has a novel valve stem and valve seat construction which will not become clogged or stick open due to low viscosity fluids passing therethrough.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved dispensing valve assembly which is inexpensive to manufacture, simple to assemble, and which requires a relatively few components for proper operation of the valve, and which components are of corrosive resistant material.

Briefly, the dispensing valve assembly of the present invention has a dispensing nozzle wherein syrup and water are mixed as they pass through the nozzle to form a soft drink. A container or syrup is connected to the dispensing valve assembly in such a manner as to pass syrup through a first flow control valve by the force of gravity. Also connected to the dispensing valve assembly is a supply of water, for example, carbonated water. The flow control valve which is provided for controlling the flow of syrup, is constructed of resilient material which is formed as a single integral part of a valve retainer and of a resilient hollow body portion. The valve head has an enlarged diameter portion which seats against a corresponding valve seat within the valve assembly, and a rigid shaft is inserted through the hollow body portion to stretch the body portion in such a manner as to displace the valve head from the valve seat to allow fluid to flow therethrough.

nited States Patent The flow control valve associated with the water is constructed in substantially the same manner. That is, the flow control valve is constructed of resilient material which is formed as a single integral part of a valve retainer which is connected to the valve head by a resilient hollow body portion. However, the flow control valve associated with the water is provided with an insert at the valve head thereof to prevent deforming of the valve head under normal operating conditions. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, both of the flow control valves are mounted in-a single plane and parallel to one another so as to be actuated by a single actuating lever. However, the actuating lever is pivoted in such a manner as to move the flow control valve associated with the syrup a further distance than the flow control valve associated with the water to provide the proper flow ratio of the two fluids.

Other objects, features and advantages will be more fully realized and understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals throughout the various views of the drawings are intended to designate similar elements or components and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a dispensing valve assembly which is constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the dispensing valve assembly of FIGURE 1 wherein portions are shown in section to more clearly show the novel and important fea ures of the present invention;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the flow control valve associated with the water flow, and is shown in the closed position; and

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the flow control valve of FIGURE 3 shown in the open position.

Seen in FIGURE 1 is a dispensing valve assembly 10 which is constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention. The dispensing valve 10 is provided with an inlet 11 which defines an opening 12 for receiving a low viscosity fluid, such as syrup. The outer peripheral surface of the inlet 11 is provided with a seal 13. The inlet 11 and seal 13 form a socket assembly which is inserted into a container so as to allow low viscosity fluid to flow through the opening 12 under the force of gravity.

The dispensing valve assembly 10 is provided with a second inlet 16 which is connectable to a supply of water, for example, carbonated Water. To insure a proper flow rate of the water passing through the inlet 16, a flow metering orifice may be provided at the inlet 16.

A pair of flow control valves 17 and 18 are mounted within the dispensing valve assembly 10, and are actuated exteriorly thereof by a button 19. The button 19 is pivotally mounted to a boss 20 by a stud 21.

A port 22 is formed within the dispensing valve assembly 10 and is in fluid communication with the inlet 12 via the flow control valve 17. Therefore, actuation of the flow control valve 17 will cause low viscosity fluid to flow from the inlet 11 through the flow control valve 17 and into the port 22. A port 23 is in fluid communication with the inlet 16 via the flow control valve 18. There- 1 fore, actuation of the flow control valve 18 will cause water to pass through the inlet 16 and into the port 23 via the flow control valve 18. The ports 22 and 23 converge in a nozzle 24 Where the syrup and water are combined within a chamber 26 of the nozzle 24. That is, simultaneous actuation of the flow control valves 17 and 18 will cause the syrup to flow through the port 22 and into the chamber 26, and at the same time water will flow through the port 23 and circulate about the port 22 in a chamber 23a and then flow downward in such a 3 manner as to enhance or surround the fluid emanating from the port 22.

Referring now to FIGURE 2 wherein the detailed construction of the flow control valves 17 and 18 are shown. The flow control valve 17 includes a valve housing portion 27, which may be formed as an integral molded part of the upper portion of the housing of the dispensing valve assembly 10. The valve housing portion 27 is provided with an aperture 28 which extends into the housing 27, and then forms an enlarged diameter portion 29. The enlarged diameter portion 29 of the aperture 28 has a valve seat 30 formed at the end thereof interiorly of the valve housing portion 27. It is seen in FIGURE 2, that the port 22 is in fluid communication with the enlarged diameter portion 29.

To control the flow of fluid from the inlet 11 into the enlarged diameter portion 29 and the port 22, a resilient valve member 31 is inserted through the aperture 28 and extends into the valve housing portion 27 to cooperate with the valve seat 30. The resilient valve member 31 is provided with a valve head 32 for engaging the valve seat 30 to form a flow control aperture therewith. Also formed as an integral part of the resilient valve member 31 is a valve retainer 33 which is positioned exteriorly of the aperture 28 to engage the outer peripheral surface thereof. Furthermore, the resilient valve member 31 is provided with a cylindrical body portion 34, which is apertured at the end of the valve retainer 33.

A bushing 35 is inserted into the apertured valve retainer 33 and has a flange portion 35a which extends radially outwardly therefrom and overlies the valve retainer 33. A pin 36 is inserted through the bushing 35 and has a flattened head portion 37 which engages the undersurface of the valve head 32. The pin 36 is further provided with an enlarged diameter portion 38 for slidable movement through the bushing 35. The enlarged diameter portion 38 is further provided with a rounded end 39 which engages a detent in a boss 40 which is formed on the button 19.

The overall dimension of the resilient valve member 31, between the head portion which engages the valve seat 30 and the retainer portion 32 which engages the exterior surface of the valve housing 27, is less than the overall dimension between the valve seat 30 and the exterior peripheral surface of the aperture 28. Therefore, when the resilient valve member 31 is inserted into the valve housing 27, the valve head 32 will be urged against the valve seat 30 due to the resilient tension of the cylindrical body portion 34. As the pin 36 is urged inwardly of the housing 27, the valve head 32 will be displaced from the valve seat 30 to allow fluid to flow therethrough.

The flow control valve 18 includes a valve housing portion 41 which is provided with an aperture 42. The aperture 42 has an enlarged diameter portion 43 which extends into the valve housing 41 to form a valve seat 44 interiorly of the valve housing 41. The port 23 is in fluid communication with the enlarged diameter portion 43 to allow fluid to flow therefrom into the nozzle 24.

A resilient valve member 46 is inserted through the aperture 42 to control the flow of fluid past the valve seat 44. The resilient valve member 46 has a valve head 47 formed at one end thereof and engageable with the valve seat 44, and a valve retainer 48 formed at the other end thereof and engageable with the exterior peripheral surface of the aperture 42. A cylindrical body portion 50 is formed between the valve head 47 and the valve retainer 48. The overall dimension of the resilient valve member 46, between the portion of the valve head 47 which engages the valve seat 44 and the portion of the retainer 48 which engages the exterior peripheral surface of the aperture 42, is less than the overall dimension of the valve housing 41, between the valve seat 44 and the exterior peripheral surface of the aperture 4Z,Tl1e e e, he va e head 47 is u g g n he valve seat 44 due to the elastic tension provided by the cylindrical body portion 50. That is, the cylindrical body portions 34 and 50 act as tension springs to maintain the flow control valves closed.

A bushing 51 is inserted through the apertured end of the valve member 46 and has a flange portion extending radially outwardly therefrom and overlying the valve retainer 48. A pin 52 is provided with a flattened head portion 53 which engages the interior surface of the valve head 47. Also, the pin 42 is provided with an enlarged diameter shaft portion 54 which is slidable through the bushing 51. The resilient valve member 46 is provided with a solid insert 55 at the valve head 47 to prevent undue deforming of the valve head 47, which would otherwise cause the valve head to slip into the enlarged diameter portion 43. The insert 55 may, for example, be formed of brass. The shaft portion 54 is provided with a rounded end 56 which engages a detent formed in a boss 57 on the button 19.

The button 19 is connected to the stud 21 by an arm 58 which, for example, may be formed as an integral part of the button 19, Since the bOSs 40 is positioned further away from the pivot stud 21 than the boss 57, the boss 40 will move a further distance than the boss 57 for a given arcuate movement of the arm 58 about the stud 21. Therefore, the resilient valve member 31 will be moved a greater distance than the resilient valve member 46 to insure proper flow ratios of the two fluids of different viscosity.

The flow control valve 18 is provided with a metering orifice 60 which is formed through a insert 61, for example, of resilient material. A threaded fitting 62 is secured to the valve housing portion 41 and is provided with an aperture in alignment with the metering orifice 60 so as to allow easy passage of the fluid therethrough. A seal 63 is inserted into a notch which is formed about the fitting 62 to prevent fluid from leaking between the fitting 62 and the interior walls of the housing 41. Fluid may be supplied to the metering orifice 60 by a pipe 64 which, in turn, is embraced by a seal 66.

Seen in FIGURES 3 and 4 is an alternate arrangement of a flow control valve which is constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention. Although the alternate arrangement shown in the FIGURES 3 and 4 corresponds to the flow control valve 18, it will be understood that a similar type of construction may be incorporated in the flow control valve 17, of FIGURE 2. The flow control valve of FIGURES 3 and 4 is provided with a resilient valve member 46a which includes a valve retainer flange 48a formed as an integral part thereof. A cylindrical body portion 50a has molded at one end thereof a threaded stud 67, The portion of the stud which is inserted into the valve member 46a may be narrowed to insure proper gripping thereof by the material of the valve member, A valve head 47a is provided with a threaded insert 68 for threadedly engaging the stud 67. Although the alternate embodiment of the flow control valve shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 is constructed of two separate components, it will be greatly appreciated that this type of construction will simplify the assembly of the valve. That is, the cylindrical body portion 50a may be inserted through the aperture 42 and the valve head 47a inserted into the valve housing portion 41 through the opposite end thereof and threadedly connected to the cylindrical body portion 50a.

As best seen in FIGURE 4, when the resilient valve member 46a is actuated in the open position, the cylindrical body portion 50a is stretched and the valve head 47a is disengaged from the valve seat 44 to allow passage of fluid past the valve seat 44 and through the port 23.

Therefore, the dispensing valve assembly of the present invention is provided with novel and improved flow control valves which are formed of resilient material. The valve head, valve body and valve retainer are formed as a single integral part to greatly simplify construction and assembly of the dispensing valve.

It will be understood that variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of this invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A dispensing valve assembly comprising: a body having first and second apertures therein; each of said apertures having an enlarged diameter portion interiorly of said body; a valve seat defined by each of said enlarged diameter portions; first and second ports in said body and in fluid communication with said enlarged diameter portions of said first and second apertures; first and second flow control valves each of resilient material having an increased diameter valve head formed at one end and engageable with a corresponding one of said valve seats, said increased diameter Valve head having a diameter larger than said valve seat and eflective to close said valve seat, and a retainer formed at the other end and engageable with the exterior surface of said body about the periphery of the corresponding one of said apertures, and an elastic cylinder portion between said valve head and said valve retainer, said elastic cylinder portion having an overall length such that said increased diameter valve head is elastically urged into seating relation with said valve seat and held there by the elastic action of said cylindrical portion; and means extending through said elastic cylindrical portion of said first and second flow control valves for using said valve heads away from said valve seats against the elastic action of said cylindrical portions.

2. The dispensing valve assembly of claim 1 wherein said second flow control valve further includes a reinforcing member inserted in its valve head.

3. The dispensing valve assembly of claim 1 further including a nozzle which is in fluid communication with said first and second ports so as to cause the fluid from said first and second ports to be combined within said nozzle.

4. The dispensing valve assembly of claim 1 wherein fluid passes through said first flow control valve under the force of gravity and fluid passes through said second flow control valve under pressure.

5. The dispensing valve assembly of claim 1 further including a single actuating button which is engageable with said means for simultaneously opening said first and second flow control valves.

6. The dispensing valve assembly of claim 1 further including: a single actuating button which is engageable with said means for simultaneously opening said first and second flow control valves, said actuating button being pivotally mounted in such a manner as to cause said first flow control valve to be moved a further distance than said second flow control valve.

7. An increased diameter valve assembly comprising: a body having an inlet, an outlet and an aperture, a portion of said aperture being in fluid communication with said outlet, and a further portion of said aperture defining a valve seat between said inlet and said outlet; a resilient valve member having one end thereof extending through said aperture and into said body, and the other end thereof exteriorly of said aperture to retain said resilient valve member in position; an increased diameter valve head detachably aifixed to said one end of said resilient valve member and sealingly engageable with said valve seat due to elastic tension of said valve member; and means having a portion extending through said valve member and a further portion extending beyond said other end; whereby, urging said means in the direction of said valve bady will cause said valve head to be disengaged from said valve seat and allow fluid to flow from said inlet to said outlet.

8. The valve assembly of claim 7 further including a valve retainer formed at said other end of said resilient valve member and extending radially outwardly of said aperture to engage the exterior surface of said body,

9. The valve assembly of claim 8 further including an insert of non-resilient material in said valve head.

10. The valve assembly of claim 7 wherein said resilient valve member is formed of a cylindrical body portion which extends through said aperture and into said body,

and has a valve retainer formed at said other end thereof and engageable with the exterior pheripheral surface of said aperture; and

wherein said means includes a shaft having a portion thereof extending through said cylindrical portion a further portion thereof extending outwardly of said cylindrical portion;

whereby, urging said shaft in the direction of said body will cause said valve head to disengage said valve seat and allow fluid to fiow from said inlet to said outlet.

11. The valve assembly of claim 10 further including a bushing having a cylindrical portion inserted into said cylindrical body portion and a radial portion extending radially outwardly therefrom and overlying said valve retainer,

thereby providing a guide for said shaft.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,021,731 11/1935 Leins 251-331 XR 2,118,300 5/1938 Ford.

2,921,605 l/1960 Booth et al. 137607 XR 2,875,804 3/1961 Dunn et al. 137604 3,058,431 10/1962 Eddy 25133l XR 3,082,789 3/1963 Welty et a1 137607 3,167,090 1/1965 Booth et a1 137--604 STANLEY N. GILREATH, Primary Examiner.

WERNER H. SCI-IROEDER, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 

